Photo courtesy of Matthew Hamilton

Saskatoon Hilltops 38
Edmonton Huskies 28

It was a battle of the two best teams in the country and when the dust settled the defending Canadian Bowl champions emerged victorious with 243 yards on the ground and a 21 point third quarter.

Without the CJFL’s leading rusher Logan Fischer in the line-up the Hilltops used Adam Machart and Josh Ewanchyna to pound away at the Huskies.  Machart carried 20 times for 143 yards and a touchdown while Ewanchyna carried 17 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

The Hilltops defence added to the scoring as well when Adam Benkic recovered a fumble and rushed seven yards into the endzone.  In all the defence forced four turnovers including two fumbles.

With the win the Hilltops clinch first in the Prairie Conference and home field advantage throughout the post season.

The Huskies actually outgained the Hilltops with 406 yards of total offence.   Quarterback Brad Launhardt was 22 of 42 for 266 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes to Zack Desiatnyk.  The Huskies pivot also ran for a touchdown.  Brandt Burzuk rushed 14 times for 133 yards.

The loss for the Huskies (7-1) is their first of the season and they will finish second in the Prairie Conference standings.  They will host the Regina Thunder (5-3) on Sunday afternoon in a semi-final, while the Hilltops (7-1) will host the Winnipeg Rifles (4-4) in the other.

Winnipeg Rifles 35
Regina Thunder 22

It really was a game that meant nothing in the standings as both teams knew they are playoff bound and a win or loss did not determine the final standings.

The Rifles used 237 yards on the ground led by Micheal Ritchott who carried a game high 19 carries for 169 yards and scored two touchdowns.  

As far as the Rifles passing game, they didn’t produce much.  Just 64 yards in total through the air and Jonathan Remple found Alexander Tachinski for a major.

Defensively the Rifles bothered the Thunder’s offence and defensive back Andrew Ricard intercepted two passes, one of which he brought back 45 yards for a touchdown.  Donovan Hillary and four solo tackles.

The Thunder offence was well balanced with 211 yards shared by two quarterbacks.  Sawyer Buettner threw for 91 yards and a score and Carter Shewchuk made 10 competitions for 120 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns passes.

The Rifles (4-4) now have the tough task of visiting the Saskatoon Hilltops (7-1) on Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm while the Thunder (5-3) will visit the Edmonton Huskies (7-1) on the same day.

Calgary Colts 30
Edmonton Wildcats 16

The Colts scored all 30 points in the second half to comeback and beat the Wildcats in the regular season finale for both teams.

After Colts starting quarterback Bailey Wasdal was knocked out of the game rookie Dillon Pye took charge.  He finished 12 of 26 for 154 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Marlon Zamora.  He spread the ball around as well as eight different receivers caught a pass.  Pye also scrambled six times and scored a touchdown.

Dylan Minshull carried 12 times for 97 yards and a score.

The Colts defence pitched a second half shutout and Austin Daisy recovered three fumbles and returned one of them 90 yards for a touchdown.

The Wildcats did all their damage in the first half, scoring all 16 points.   Running back Bray Josue carried 16 times for 67 yards and their lone touchdown.

In his final CJFL game quarterback Colton Hippe completed seven passes for 52 yards.

Defensively Evin Kochisarli had a game high seven tackles and two sacks to lead the way.  As a group they forced five turnovers.

The Colts finish the second 3-5, while the Wildcats finish 1-7.